President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja announced the renaming of Abuja National Stadium after late Moshood Abiola, acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The president made the announcement while addressing the nation on Democracy Day celebration in Abuja.
While alive, Abiola gave immense support to the development of sports in Nigeria and Africa, and was named and honoured as Pillar of Sports in Africa for his contribution.
He formed Abiola Babes Football Club, which was based in Abeokuta and was one of the big teams that dominated soccer in the country between 1982 and 2001 when it was disbanded.
Buhari decried what he described as “injustice” meted to the winners of the 1993 Presidential Election, and assured that his administration would continue to correct injustices in the society.
“As we all know, correcting injustice is a pre-requisite for peace and unity.
“As part of the process of healing and reconciliation, I approved the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day and invested late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe with National Honours as I did with late Gani Fawehinmi.
“The purpose was to partially atone for the previous damage done in annulling the Presidential election of that year.
“Today, I propose the re-naming of the Abuja National Stadium. Henceforth it will be called Moshood Abiola National Stadium,’’ he said.
On development of infrastructure, the president revealed that dedicated agro-industrial processing zones would be developed on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis to increase farming yields, agricultural productivity and industrial output.
According to him, over 2,000 kilometers of ongoing federal road and bridge projects across the country will be completed to reduce journey times and the cost of doing business.
“As I mentioned earlier, critical feeder roads will be built to facilitate easier transportation for people and goods from rural areas to major roads.
“We are at advanced stages of securing investments to modernize and expand our transmission and distribution infrastructure, ensuring that electricity is available and affordable for all Nigerians.
“Several rail, seaport and airport projects are at various stages of completion. We will open the arteries of transportation nationwide.
“It is a fact that Nigeria has more gas reserves than it has oil. Over the last four years, we have become a net exporter of urea, which is made from natural gas.
“We invite investors to develop more natural gas-based petrochemical projects,’’ he added.
(NAN)
